Egypt closes Tahrir, Rabaa squares ahead of pro-Morsi rallies

The reinforcements come shortly ahead of planned pro-Morsi rallies, called for by the National Alliance for the Defense of Legitimacy.

Middle East

01 Kasım 2013 Cuma 11:31

World Bulletin / News Desk

Egyptian army troops closed the Tahrir and Rabaa al-Adawiya squares to traffic on Friday ahead of planned rallies by supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

Army troops set up barbed wires and barricades at the entry points of the Tahrir Square, which was the epicenter of mass protests that ousted strongman Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

Armored vehicles were also deployed along roads leading to the iconic square.

Security forces were deployed to eastern Cairo's Rabaa al-Adawiya Square, the scene of a six-week pro-Morsi protest camp that was violently dispersed in mid-August and left hundreds of people dead.

The reinforcements come shortly ahead of planned pro-Morsi rallies, called for by the National Alliance for the Defense of Legitimacy.

The rallies are part of planned activities by supporters ahead of the trial of Morsi, who is due to appear in court on Monday on charges of inciting the murder of protesters outside Cairo's Ittihadiya presidential palace late last year.

If Morsi is brought to trial, it will be the first time for the ousted president to be seen in public since his removal.